Scottish Thistle Awards 2000 - Winners - Cultural Tourism Winner - Shetland Arts Trust: "Simmer''n Sessions" ''Simmer''n Sessions has been a hugely successful initiative, involving the Shetland Arts Trust, Shetland Islands Tourism, tourism businesses and musicians. The project encouraged over 5,000 visitors to Shetland in 1999 to hear traditional music at its best. The high quality programme used a wide range of performers and venues and was also developed to reach the coach and cruise market in 1999. This created exciting new opportunities for local artists and in particular it has encouraged young musicians to perform in front of new audiences. Their enthusiasm for Shetland''s music and culture will ensure this project has a lasting legacy. Contact David Gardner Tel: 01595 694 001 www.shetland-music.com  Media Contact Rebecca Hamilton Tel: 07879 872 972 Finalist - Kilmartin House: Museum of Ancient Culture Kilmartin House Trust, as a museum and visitor attraction, provides an important cultural and interpretation centre, attracting over 15,000 visitors to Kilmartin and ''the Cradle of Civilisation'', a highly significant but little-known historic site. The private initiative has attracted public support to develop very positive benefits to local businesses and the community in an environmentally sensitive way. It operates an extensive range of artistic and cultural programmes in partnership with local tourism organisations and has developed sophisticated promotional and information material, including high quality print and an innovative, award-winning web site.  Finalist - Scottish Borders Tourist Board: The Land, the Light, the Locals Managed by the Scottish Borders Tourist Board, ''The Land, the Light, the Locals'' is a very successful project that has grown since 1997. The pilot project, in conjunction with the John Wright Band, a contemporary folk music group, saw the group in the role of ''cultural ambassadors''. An innovative direct marketing campaign attracted a ''touring audience'' of 120 who stayed for 5 days, stimulating 22,000 of economic benefit to the Scottish Borders at a time when tourism activity is quiet. The project was backed by excellent research, which is of major benefit in its development.